Kunyi Liu, known as Yanzhuang (courtesy name), was born in Hunan, China. Liu participated in fighting against Taiping Rebellion at the end of Qing dynasty and was promoted to a local official. Later, he served as a provincial magnate, Nanyang commerce minister and other positions related to foreign affairs. Liu was a central figure in Self-Strengthening Movement (1864-1895, a serial of reforms to improve military power, industrial development, education and communication technology) to resist invasion from Western countries.